The Who On The Rise

June 18, 1965 - "If I wasn't with a group I don't know what I'd do," said Roger Daltry, lead singer of The Who, to NME journalist Alan Smith. "It means everything to me. I think I'd do myself in."

Daltry spoke with NME following the release of The Who's new single, "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere".

Journalist Alan Smith repeatedly referred to how "weird and way-out" The Who were compared to other British bands at the time. What made The Who so "weird" was a combination of Daltry's own candour--"We're not mates at all. When we've finished a show and we've got time off, that's it. We go our own ways"; and the volatility of guitarist Pete Townshend, who would often smash his guitar at the end of concerts. Remember, this was long before smashing one's equipment after a show was par for the course.

The Who were a band on the make in 1965. "I Can't Explain" had made an impressions on the charts, and follow-up "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" was also climbing toward the top spot by the end of June.

According to Smith's report, "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" was composed at 3am after Daltry and Townshend had been locked in a room all night to focus on songwriting. The band's next recording session was scheduled for the following day. Daltry said of the night in question: "For once, Pete forgot his other interests ("he's very political, a right Bob Dylan") and the job was finished as dawn broke over Shepherds Bush."